Humanistic Approach

THE HUMANISTIC APPROACH

* Humanism is a philosophical movement that emphasises the personal worth of the individual and the centrality of human values.  The Humanistic approach rests on the complex philosophical foundations of existentialism, and emphasizes the creative, spontaneous and active nature of human beings. This approach is  very optimistic and focusses on noble human capacity to overcome hardship and despair.

* The Humanistic perspective offers a very positive viewpoint of human nature and potential. Emphasizing the personal worth of each individual, this perspective suggests that we are each responsible for our own happiness and well-being as humans. We have the innate capacity for self-actualization which is our unique desire to achieve our highest potential as people.

HISTORY OF THE HUMANISTIC APPROACH

The humanistic approach developed as a rebellion against what some psychologists saw as limitations of the behaviorist and psychodynamic psychology. The humanistic approach is thus often called the “third force” in psychology after psychoanalysis and behaviorism (Maslow, 1968).

What lead to the development of Humanistic-Existential approach:

* People disagreed on what psychoanalysis theory of Freud says:

* Breaking down of the "whole" person into discrete components

* Pessimistic determinism– behavior controlled by unconscious forces

* People are not merely a product of their childhood experiences

* Rejected the assumption of the behaviorist approach which is characterized as deterministic, focused on reinforcement of stimulus-response behavior and heavily dependent on animal research.

* Behaviorists and the psychodynamic therapies did not integrate the goals and aspirations of the clients being treated.

* Both psychoanalysis and behaviorism painted a negative picture about human nature.

CENTRAL POINTS OF THE HUMANISTIC APPROACH

1. It rejects determinism

2. All individuals are subjective...